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How to Say ‘Can I pay right away?’ in German

Kann ich gleich zahlen?

kahn ikh glykh TSAH-len

[kahn ikh glykh TSAH-len]

🇩🇪 In Germany: In many German bars you run a tab and pay when you leave. Asking this signals you'd rather settle up now, which is common at busy counters.

Phrase Breakdown

Kann ich

kahn ikh

Can I

This starts a polite request. The 'ch' in 'ich' is a soft hiss, like a cat's hiss.

Example

Kann ich helfen?

Can I help?

Words in this phrase

Kann

[kahn]

can

A modal verb expressing ability or possibility.

Example

Beim Gespräch Kann man viel über die Firma lernen.

In the conversation, one can learn a lot about the company.

ich

[ikh]

The pronoun 'ich' in nominative form.

Example

Ich bin da.

I am here.

gleich zahlen?

glykh TSAH-len

pay right away?

'gleich' means 'right away'. The 'z' in 'zahlen' sounds like 'ts': TSAH-len.

Example

Wir möchten gleich zahlen.

We'd like to pay right away.

Words in this phrase

gleich

[glykh]

right away, immediately

Here means 'now, straight away' rather than later.

Example

Ich komme gleich.

I'm coming right away.

zahlen

[TSAH-len]

to pay

Verb used when giving money for a service or item.

Example

Wir zahlen am Ende der Fahrt.

We pay at the end of the ride.

Guides for German learners

Duolingo vs Pimsleur: Tapping on a Screen or Talking Out Loud?Duolingo vs Pimsleur: five minutes of tapping versus thirty minutes of speaking. What each is good at, what each costs, and which to pick for your goal.

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